Declaimer: READ CHAPTER ONE
Chapter 2/??
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 2
Elsewhere
Slice flew over Paris with her bat minions, uh, yeah. She stopped in midair; causing Betsy to hurry to a halt which caused the other bats to run into her, why they were flying in a line is beyond me.
She turn to the group, "Okay, gurls, Paris is a large place, so we need to split up if we want to find this emerald shard before Rouge and that cute little echidna, got it?"
"YES MA'AM!" They saluted.
"Move out!" They all saluted again and split up, searching different parts of the city.
One of the bats stopped in thought, it was a pink bat, Daisy. She thought, 'How in the world did we get to Paris so fast?' She shrugged it off and headed to her part of the city.
~*~*~*~*~
Somewhere in a forest
"Rouge! Rouge! Where are you?" Knuckles shouted as he looked for his bat companion who somehow disappeared. "Where on Earth did she go?" He thought more to himself.
"Knuckles!" Someone yelled in the distance. Knuckles turn towards the voice to see a blue blur coming at him.
"Sonic?" He asked in question as Sonic came into view and stood in front of him panting.
"Knuckles...*pant*....so...glad...*pant*...that I...*pant*....ran into you!" The blue hedgehog said trying to catch his breath.
"Whoa, Sonic? Out of breath? That's a first." Knuckles smirked.
Sonic gave his red friend a funny look, "Ha ha, anyway, you gotta hide me! Amy, man, she won't leave me alone!"
As if on cue, "Sonikku! Oh, Sonikku!"
Sonic eyes widen, "Uh, gotta jet!" And zipped off into the unknown with a little pink blur following behind.
"Well, that was random..." Knuckles shook his head, than he remember Rouge and sigh. "Rouge! Come out now! I'm not one for hide-n-go-seek games!"
"AHHHHH!!!" A scream sounded not too far from Knuckles.
"Oh, no, that sounded like Rouge!" Knuckles took off in the direction of the scream. "Rouge, answer me! Where are you?! Roug—AHH!" Knuckles exclaim as he fell in a hole leading to the unknown. He landed with a loud thump. "Ugh...that's gonna leave a mark..." He rub his sore head and his poor, unfortunate tail. He glance around his surroundings, but all he saw was darkness.
"Knuckles? Is that you?" A voice came from behind him.
Knuckles turn around and saw a slight silhouetted, "Rouge?"
"No, I'm just a figment of your insane imagination." Rouge said sarcastically as she found her way towards Knuckles in the dark, being a bat had it's advantages.
Knuckles rolled his eyes, "Whatever, we need to find the shards of the Master Emerald before Slice does. And I can't see in the dark. Where are we, anyway?"
Rouge only shrug her shoulders, "No clue. But you shouldn't have to worry about the dark. I am, after all, a bat, and all bats have good night vision."
"Yay me." Knuckles said with sarcasm rolling off his tongue.
Rouge smiled, "You're so cute, Treasure hunter."
Knuckles blushed, "Whatever, lets just get going and find my Master Emerald." He walked off in the dark, nearly bumping into a wall and tripping over a small rock hidden in the darkness.
Rouge sighed but followed gracefully, not running into anything. "You know, echidna, you should let me lead, since it is very, VERY dark here." She said, a step behind Knuckles.
Knuckles turn to look at her, even though he could hardly make out her outline, "I can get through this—" And ran right into a wall. "—myself..." He fell down on his back, hitting the ground hard.
Rouge laughed, "Hehehe, right! I'm sure you can, Mister High-and-Mighty."
Knuckles plop himself on his elbows and rub his sore head, "Shut up, will you?" When Rouge continue to laugh at her fellow comrade, Knuckles growled and grab her right leg, causing her to fall next to him.
"Ah!" She landed with a thump. "Ouch, why you..." She rubbed her now sore butt as she got up.
Knuckles chuckle as he got up himself, "Hah, now you know not to mess with me."
Rouge rolled her eyes, "Whatever, knucklehead." Suddenly a slight shuffling sound was heard and Rouge felt something run pass her feet. It was a huge rat with glowing red eyes. "Ahh!!" She jump up and landed in Knuckles arms, tightly clinging to his neck.
The red echidna laughed. "Is the great Treasure Hunter Rouge, afraid of a little mouse?" He taunt as the rat ran away.
Rouge glared at him as he put her down. "LITTLE MOUSE?! That thing was bigger than a cat!"
Knuckles grinned. "Uh-huh, thanks for displaying that Rouge, I'll use your weakness to my advantage."
"Hey! I let you know that mice are NOT my disadvantages!" Rouge shouted after Knuckles who started walking away.
"Right. Whatever. Hey, look, I think I see some light up ahead." He said, pointing to a crack in the wall just before them. They walked to it. "Hmm...stand back, Rouge." Rouge did as she was told and Knuckles went right to work punching through the small crack, making it bigger and bigger. Soon it was large enough to let them though. "Yes! Freedom!" Knuckles exclaim and ran out, but not before Rouge stopping him.
"Ah, ah, ah, ladies first!" She smirk and walked out before Knuckles could say anything. He rolled his eyes and followed behind the "lady".
"It's great to be rid of that damp and smelly underground cave." Said Rouge, as the sunlight hit her face.
Knuckles nodded, "Yeah, I guess." He looked around his surroundings, obviously they were still on the island, since he could see a large ocean out front, they were out of the small forest now. The sky was clear and blue with a bright yellow sun shinning down on them. "We better get going."
Rouge sighed, "Fine, fine, Mr. All-work-and-no-play." They walked around a little bit to see if they could get a signal. No such luck. "I'm telling you, Knuckles, there has to be one in Paris! Lets just look! Please?" Rouge said after an hour of searching the island.
Knuckles sighed, "Fine." Knuckles and Rouge than headed in the direction to the ocean, where they ran into a certain two-tailed fox.
"Hey guys, have you seen Sonic around? I've been looking everywhere for him!" Tails said when he noticed the two.
Knuckles thought, "Yeah, I saw him sometime ago on the southern part of the island four hours ago. He randomly appeared being chased by Amy."
Tails eyes brighten up, "Really? Thanks, I can probably find him now. Hey...what are you two doing here anyway? Aren't you suppose to be guarding the Master Emerald, Knuckles?"
Knuckles frown, "Long story, kid. Now it shattered and we are heading to Paris to retrieve a piece."
The young fox giggled, "Paris? The city of "love"? I hope you have a good time with Rouge!" He laughed as Knuckles blushed.
"Shut up!" Knuckles shouted shaking a fist at the boy as he ran off to look for Sonic.
Rouge laughed, "Don't make such a big deal out of it, Knuckles. But you're sure are cute when you blush." That comment caused Knuckles to blush an even deeper shade of red.
"Rouge..." He growled in warning.
Rouge shrug, "You need to loosen up a bit, Treasure Hunter. It's no wonder why you live alone." With that said, Rouge started on her way to Paris to retrieve a piece of the Master Emerald. She already knew Slice was there. She could feel it in her heart.
The red echidna sighed as he followed behind, quietly. She was right. There is no wonder why he lived alone on that island. He's so uptight. He doesn't let anyone get near him without starting a fight. It's amazing that Rouge is still here, helping him find the Master Emerald. Rouge. WHY is she even helping him? Was it because she was going to trick him and gain the Master Emerald shards? It was highly likable. They were in an awkward silence for ten minutes before Knuckles decided to chance it and ask Rouge her purpose for joining him on this so-called adventure.
"Why are you helping me?" He suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Rouge turn to him, startle by his voice, "Huh? Oh, well, you said you needed my help since we are up against my sister."
"You still didn't have to help. What is your real reason, Rouge?" He moved beside her than, making Rouge feel uneasy.
'Why is he doing this to me?' Rouge thought, not answering him right away, 'Why am I really helping him anyway?' "I, well..." She started and sighed. "You need my help, and I wasn't going to let you have all the fun, Treasure Hunter." She smirked, hoping that was a good cover up from her real reason, a reason she didn't even know yet.
Knuckles shrug, not giving it much thought, "Well, you better not be after the Master Emerald for yourself."
That comment made Rouge boiled, "For myself? Listen here, echidna, I'm not always after some stupid jewel! Just because I'm helping you doesn't mean that the first chance I get, I'm going to take it! I thought you'll could TRUST me by now!"
Knuckles was slightly shock, "It's hard to trust someone who's been after the Master Emerald the first time they met."
Rouge growled, "I do not want your Master Emerald! You can keep it! And you know what? Look for it on your own! I'm leaving!" With a huff, the white bat turn to leave as Knuckles stared at her in complete shock.
He felt bad as he watch the female bat disappeared from his sight. Empty. That how he felt inside. Sure, they had their fights. They were so much alike, they often clash. Knuckles sighed as dark clouds hover over head. "Great, now what do I do?" The thought of going back to apologize to Rouge ran though his head, but he quickly dismissed it. 'Why should I go and apologize? Man, if only I kept my big mouth shut about the Master Emerald, I'll still have Rouge here with me. Uh...Okay, Knuckles, you have officially lost it.' He knew he had feelings for that white bat. Anyone in their right mind could see how beautiful and wonderful she was. He just didn't know. Someone like him couldn't risk something like that. He has a job to do, a destiny to fulfilled, and nothing must stand in his way.
Thunder clash in the heavens above as it started to downpour. "Oh, just great!" Knuckles exclaim as he was drenched in mere seconds. He soon found shelter in an abandon cave and decided to wait out the storm. 'I hope Rouge is okay...'
~*~*~*~
"Oh, I can't believe that stupid egotistical echidna! After all I've done for him, he still thinks I'm after that dang emerald!" Rouge ranted on as she push branch after branch out of her way. After a minute she stopped and sigh. "Why am I so upset anyway? I'm Rouge the Bat! The greatest treasure hunter ever to exist! I don't get upset over petty things such as this." But, than again, she was up against Knuckles.
A clash of thunder jolt her from her thoughts. "Oh, wonderful. Just what I needed to match my mood. Guess I should find somewhere to hide out until the storm passes." She found an entrance to a cave. "Hmm...why not? Better than getting soak." She enter the cave and sat down on the ground. Unbeknownst to her, that was the same cave a certain red echidna was hiding out in.
~*~*~*~
The opposite side of the cave, Knuckles sat, wondering where Rouge went to and hoping she is alright. He was lost in his thoughts to notice someone else has enter the cave at the other end (The cave has two entrances, obviously). He was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard a startle scream. Jumping up, Knuckles looked around to see the outline of a figure with large ears and wings. "What? Rouge?"
"Knuckles! What are you doing here?" Rouge exclaim, startle to see the red echidna so soon. 'Great, faith just loves playing tricks. Putting me in the same cave as that echidna...'
"Probably the same reason as you. Waiting out the storm?" He asked, leaning against the rocky side wall of the cave. It was leaking and a few droplets were heard creating a small puddle.
"Yeah, yeah..." She stayed quiet, lost in her own thoughts. Knuckles spoke up again.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He said, eyes fixed on a puddle. "I shouldn't have assume that all you wanted was the Master Emerald. I know I can trust you, Rouge. I have before, during ARK, and I can again." His eyes remain fixed on that certain spot.
Rouge thought of what to say but nothing came to mind, than, "It isn't your fault, Knuckles. I know I'm not very trustworthy, and having your trust, means a lot." She smiled at the echidna as he finally looked at her. He return the smile.
The storm outside stopped, as the sun came out to shine brightly down on them. Rouge and Knuckles left the cave feeling more at ease. It was damp, but beautiful. A colorful rainbow was seen in the distance and Rouge was amaze at how beautiful it look. She has never seen a rainbow in her life.
"Wow. It's beautiful." She gasp at it.
Knuckles smiled as he looked at her, "Yeah, it is. Beautiful." The bat turn to him, causing him to turn away, blushing. "Well, uh, lets go. We need to get to higher ground if we are going to glide to our destination."
Rouge nodded. Knuckles than took off to a tall mountain that they pass a few hours ago. After a few minutes of running, they reached the mountain, climbing it. Once at the top, Knuckles looked out before them.
Rouge also glanced around. "Wow, this island is bigger than what I thought. And the ocean looks more clearer up here." Knuckles nodded and took off in the air. "Hey! Wait for me!" She jumped off, after her companion.
~*~*~*~
Hmm....How did you like chapter two? Are they going to make it to Paris to see all the purty sights? Don't think so. ^_~ Stay tune for Chapter three!
Chapter 2/??
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 2
Elsewhere
Slice flew over Paris with her bat minions, uh, yeah. She stopped in midair; causing Betsy to hurry to a halt which caused the other bats to run into her, why they were flying in a line is beyond me.
She turn to the group, "Okay, gurls, Paris is a large place, so we need to split up if we want to find this emerald shard before Rouge and that cute little echidna, got it?"
"YES MA'AM!" They saluted.
"Move out!" They all saluted again and split up, searching different parts of the city.
One of the bats stopped in thought, it was a pink bat, Daisy. She thought, 'How in the world did we get to Paris so fast?' She shrugged it off and headed to her part of the city.
~*~*~*~*~
Somewhere in a forest
"Rouge! Rouge! Where are you?" Knuckles shouted as he looked for his bat companion who somehow disappeared. "Where on Earth did she go?" He thought more to himself.
"Knuckles!" Someone yelled in the distance. Knuckles turn towards the voice to see a blue blur coming at him.
"Sonic?" He asked in question as Sonic came into view and stood in front of him panting.
"Knuckles...*pant*....so...glad...*pant*...that I...*pant*....ran into you!" The blue hedgehog said trying to catch his breath.
"Whoa, Sonic? Out of breath? That's a first." Knuckles smirked.
Sonic gave his red friend a funny look, "Ha ha, anyway, you gotta hide me! Amy, man, she won't leave me alone!"
As if on cue, "Sonikku! Oh, Sonikku!"
Sonic eyes widen, "Uh, gotta jet!" And zipped off into the unknown with a little pink blur following behind.
"Well, that was random..." Knuckles shook his head, than he remember Rouge and sigh. "Rouge! Come out now! I'm not one for hide-n-go-seek games!"
"AHHHHH!!!" A scream sounded not too far from Knuckles.
"Oh, no, that sounded like Rouge!" Knuckles took off in the direction of the scream. "Rouge, answer me! Where are you?! Roug—AHH!" Knuckles exclaim as he fell in a hole leading to the unknown. He landed with a loud thump. "Ugh...that's gonna leave a mark..." He rub his sore head and his poor, unfortunate tail. He glance around his surroundings, but all he saw was darkness.
"Knuckles? Is that you?" A voice came from behind him.
Knuckles turn around and saw a slight silhouetted, "Rouge?"
"No, I'm just a figment of your insane imagination." Rouge said sarcastically as she found her way towards Knuckles in the dark, being a bat had it's advantages.
Knuckles rolled his eyes, "Whatever, we need to find the shards of the Master Emerald before Slice does. And I can't see in the dark. Where are we, anyway?"
Rouge only shrug her shoulders, "No clue. But you shouldn't have to worry about the dark. I am, after all, a bat, and all bats have good night vision."
"Yay me." Knuckles said with sarcasm rolling off his tongue.
Rouge smiled, "You're so cute, Treasure hunter."
Knuckles blushed, "Whatever, lets just get going and find my Master Emerald." He walked off in the dark, nearly bumping into a wall and tripping over a small rock hidden in the darkness.
Rouge sighed but followed gracefully, not running into anything. "You know, echidna, you should let me lead, since it is very, VERY dark here." She said, a step behind Knuckles.
Knuckles turn to look at her, even though he could hardly make out her outline, "I can get through this—" And ran right into a wall. "—myself..." He fell down on his back, hitting the ground hard.
Rouge laughed, "Hehehe, right! I'm sure you can, Mister High-and-Mighty."
Knuckles plop himself on his elbows and rub his sore head, "Shut up, will you?" When Rouge continue to laugh at her fellow comrade, Knuckles growled and grab her right leg, causing her to fall next to him.
"Ah!" She landed with a thump. "Ouch, why you..." She rubbed her now sore butt as she got up.
Knuckles chuckle as he got up himself, "Hah, now you know not to mess with me."
Rouge rolled her eyes, "Whatever, knucklehead." Suddenly a slight shuffling sound was heard and Rouge felt something run pass her feet. It was a huge rat with glowing red eyes. "Ahh!!" She jump up and landed in Knuckles arms, tightly clinging to his neck.
The red echidna laughed. "Is the great Treasure Hunter Rouge, afraid of a little mouse?" He taunt as the rat ran away.
Rouge glared at him as he put her down. "LITTLE MOUSE?! That thing was bigger than a cat!"
Knuckles grinned. "Uh-huh, thanks for displaying that Rouge, I'll use your weakness to my advantage."
"Hey! I let you know that mice are NOT my disadvantages!" Rouge shouted after Knuckles who started walking away.
"Right. Whatever. Hey, look, I think I see some light up ahead." He said, pointing to a crack in the wall just before them. They walked to it. "Hmm...stand back, Rouge." Rouge did as she was told and Knuckles went right to work punching through the small crack, making it bigger and bigger. Soon it was large enough to let them though. "Yes! Freedom!" Knuckles exclaim and ran out, but not before Rouge stopping him.
"Ah, ah, ah, ladies first!" She smirk and walked out before Knuckles could say anything. He rolled his eyes and followed behind the "lady".
"It's great to be rid of that damp and smelly underground cave." Said Rouge, as the sunlight hit her face.
Knuckles nodded, "Yeah, I guess." He looked around his surroundings, obviously they were still on the island, since he could see a large ocean out front, they were out of the small forest now. The sky was clear and blue with a bright yellow sun shinning down on them. "We better get going."
Rouge sighed, "Fine, fine, Mr. All-work-and-no-play." They walked around a little bit to see if they could get a signal. No such luck. "I'm telling you, Knuckles, there has to be one in Paris! Lets just look! Please?" Rouge said after an hour of searching the island.
Knuckles sighed, "Fine." Knuckles and Rouge than headed in the direction to the ocean, where they ran into a certain two-tailed fox.
"Hey guys, have you seen Sonic around? I've been looking everywhere for him!" Tails said when he noticed the two.
Knuckles thought, "Yeah, I saw him sometime ago on the southern part of the island four hours ago. He randomly appeared being chased by Amy."
Tails eyes brighten up, "Really? Thanks, I can probably find him now. Hey...what are you two doing here anyway? Aren't you suppose to be guarding the Master Emerald, Knuckles?"
Knuckles frown, "Long story, kid. Now it shattered and we are heading to Paris to retrieve a piece."
The young fox giggled, "Paris? The city of "love"? I hope you have a good time with Rouge!" He laughed as Knuckles blushed.
"Shut up!" Knuckles shouted shaking a fist at the boy as he ran off to look for Sonic.
Rouge laughed, "Don't make such a big deal out of it, Knuckles. But you're sure are cute when you blush." That comment caused Knuckles to blush an even deeper shade of red.
"Rouge..." He growled in warning.
Rouge shrug, "You need to loosen up a bit, Treasure Hunter. It's no wonder why you live alone." With that said, Rouge started on her way to Paris to retrieve a piece of the Master Emerald. She already knew Slice was there. She could feel it in her heart.
The red echidna sighed as he followed behind, quietly. She was right. There is no wonder why he lived alone on that island. He's so uptight. He doesn't let anyone get near him without starting a fight. It's amazing that Rouge is still here, helping him find the Master Emerald. Rouge. WHY is she even helping him? Was it because she was going to trick him and gain the Master Emerald shards? It was highly likable. They were in an awkward silence for ten minutes before Knuckles decided to chance it and ask Rouge her purpose for joining him on this so-called adventure.
"Why are you helping me?" He suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Rouge turn to him, startle by his voice, "Huh? Oh, well, you said you needed my help since we are up against my sister."
"You still didn't have to help. What is your real reason, Rouge?" He moved beside her than, making Rouge feel uneasy.
'Why is he doing this to me?' Rouge thought, not answering him right away, 'Why am I really helping him anyway?' "I, well..." She started and sighed. "You need my help, and I wasn't going to let you have all the fun, Treasure Hunter." She smirked, hoping that was a good cover up from her real reason, a reason she didn't even know yet.
Knuckles shrug, not giving it much thought, "Well, you better not be after the Master Emerald for yourself."
That comment made Rouge boiled, "For myself? Listen here, echidna, I'm not always after some stupid jewel! Just because I'm helping you doesn't mean that the first chance I get, I'm going to take it! I thought you'll could TRUST me by now!"
Knuckles was slightly shock, "It's hard to trust someone who's been after the Master Emerald the first time they met."
Rouge growled, "I do not want your Master Emerald! You can keep it! And you know what? Look for it on your own! I'm leaving!" With a huff, the white bat turn to leave as Knuckles stared at her in complete shock.
He felt bad as he watch the female bat disappeared from his sight. Empty. That how he felt inside. Sure, they had their fights. They were so much alike, they often clash. Knuckles sighed as dark clouds hover over head. "Great, now what do I do?" The thought of going back to apologize to Rouge ran though his head, but he quickly dismissed it. 'Why should I go and apologize? Man, if only I kept my big mouth shut about the Master Emerald, I'll still have Rouge here with me. Uh...Okay, Knuckles, you have officially lost it.' He knew he had feelings for that white bat. Anyone in their right mind could see how beautiful and wonderful she was. He just didn't know. Someone like him couldn't risk something like that. He has a job to do, a destiny to fulfilled, and nothing must stand in his way.
Thunder clash in the heavens above as it started to downpour. "Oh, just great!" Knuckles exclaim as he was drenched in mere seconds. He soon found shelter in an abandon cave and decided to wait out the storm. 'I hope Rouge is okay...'
~*~*~*~
"Oh, I can't believe that stupid egotistical echidna! After all I've done for him, he still thinks I'm after that dang emerald!" Rouge ranted on as she push branch after branch out of her way. After a minute she stopped and sigh. "Why am I so upset anyway? I'm Rouge the Bat! The greatest treasure hunter ever to exist! I don't get upset over petty things such as this." But, than again, she was up against Knuckles.
A clash of thunder jolt her from her thoughts. "Oh, wonderful. Just what I needed to match my mood. Guess I should find somewhere to hide out until the storm passes." She found an entrance to a cave. "Hmm...why not? Better than getting soak." She enter the cave and sat down on the ground. Unbeknownst to her, that was the same cave a certain red echidna was hiding out in.
~*~*~*~
The opposite side of the cave, Knuckles sat, wondering where Rouge went to and hoping she is alright. He was lost in his thoughts to notice someone else has enter the cave at the other end (The cave has two entrances, obviously). He was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard a startle scream. Jumping up, Knuckles looked around to see the outline of a figure with large ears and wings. "What? Rouge?"
"Knuckles! What are you doing here?" Rouge exclaim, startle to see the red echidna so soon. 'Great, faith just loves playing tricks. Putting me in the same cave as that echidna...'
"Probably the same reason as you. Waiting out the storm?" He asked, leaning against the rocky side wall of the cave. It was leaking and a few droplets were heard creating a small puddle.
"Yeah, yeah..." She stayed quiet, lost in her own thoughts. Knuckles spoke up again.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He said, eyes fixed on a puddle. "I shouldn't have assume that all you wanted was the Master Emerald. I know I can trust you, Rouge. I have before, during ARK, and I can again." His eyes remain fixed on that certain spot.
Rouge thought of what to say but nothing came to mind, than, "It isn't your fault, Knuckles. I know I'm not very trustworthy, and having your trust, means a lot." She smiled at the echidna as he finally looked at her. He return the smile.
The storm outside stopped, as the sun came out to shine brightly down on them. Rouge and Knuckles left the cave feeling more at ease. It was damp, but beautiful. A colorful rainbow was seen in the distance and Rouge was amaze at how beautiful it look. She has never seen a rainbow in her life.
"Wow. It's beautiful." She gasp at it.
Knuckles smiled as he looked at her, "Yeah, it is. Beautiful." The bat turn to him, causing him to turn away, blushing. "Well, uh, lets go. We need to get to higher ground if we are going to glide to our destination."
Rouge nodded. Knuckles than took off to a tall mountain that they pass a few hours ago. After a few minutes of running, they reached the mountain, climbing it. Once at the top, Knuckles looked out before them.
Rouge also glanced around. "Wow, this island is bigger than what I thought. And the ocean looks more clearer up here." Knuckles nodded and took off in the air. "Hey! Wait for me!" She jumped off, after her companion.
~*~*~*~
Hmm....How did you like chapter two? Are they going to make it to Paris to see all the purty sights? Don't think so. ^_~ Stay tune for Chapter three!